Episode 74. In the light of John Haught's Contact Model, we can appreciate the Contributions of Science to Theology. First, science improves hermeneutics. Thanks to modern science, it reveals that there is an ancient science in the Bible. In doing so, science assists religious people to focus on the Message of Faith and not on the incidental ancient understanding of nature. Thanks to science, this has led to the formulation of the message incident principle. Second, Science enriches and magnifies the doctrine of creation. Let me offer an example. Who has a greater and more magnificent picture of God's grandeur? The biblical writers who believed the three tier universe and Martin Luther who accepted geocentricity? Or does our generation with the Hubble telescope have a more amazing view of God's universe as seen with the Eagle Nebula the Sombrero galaxy and the eye of God Nebula? I think everyone will agree that our Picture of The Creation today, is so much more astonishing. Thanks to science. Haught points out, that the contact relationship rejects the proof or argument from design. We have to remember, that the contact category is a cautious, but not too intimate move toward a science religion relationship. In quote 16, Haught notes, "the contact relationship does not strive to prove God's existence from science. It does not seek to shore up religious doctrines, by appealing to point directly to a divine designer. The days in which scientific ideas could be used to seal up arguments for God's existence, are over. It's important to underline that this is not Haught's personal view, but that of the contact relationship. As we'll see, he accepts Intelligent Design but note the terms used in this passage, is there a problem with the terms proof or argument? Today, Intelligent Design is a major topic in science and religion and we will be dedicating an entire section on it. But let me briefly outline my position. I think that the term proof is too strong but the term argument is more accurate. So here are some of my arguments for Design. First a historical argument. Intelligent Design is a common belief in philosophy and theology throughout history. Second, the idea of Design is biblical. It appears in Psalm 19 and Romans one. Third, there are scientific arguments to believe that nature reflects Intelligent Design. For example, Modern Physics has proposed the anthropic principle, which reveals the incredible fine tuning in the laws of nature, suggesting a creative intelligence behind them. Finally, there is an experiential argument. When most people are out in nature enjoying its beauty and magnificence, they sense that the world is designed. John Haught's contact relationship also recognizes that religion contacts science but this is not as substantive as science contacting religion. In this way, religion does not impact change or add to science. As Haught notes in quote 17, the contact model is content simply to interpret scientific discoveries within the framework of religious meaning. To interpret Haught's view in light of the metaphysics- physics principle, religion brings religious meaning or metaphysics to science. For example, as depicted by the downward arrows, religion offers the beliefs that God is the creator and that the cosmos is heading in an ordained direction. In other words, religion informs science that we live in a teleological universe. Let's draw a few conclusions regarding Haught's contact relationship. First, not recognizing implicit cosmological assumptions is a problem with religious people. Most are blind to the fact that they use science in their religion. For example, an understanding of nature is needed before a doctrine of creation is formulated or to state this another way, a physics is needed before you can have a metaphysics. In the contact relationship, science impacts religion more than religion impacts science. In particular, science improves hermeneutics, and it offers a greater and more magnificent picture of God. But religion only adds a metaphysic and has no real effect on scientific research. However, as we will see in Haught's next relationship of his science religion model, this will change. End of episode.